This is a classic French dessert that is served at Christmas time. Bûche de Noël translates as the “Christmas Log” and is meant to look like the piece of wood you are about to toss into the fireplace. It is a rather odd tradition and yet I find myself making one every year. It always reminds me of the TV station that plays Christmas music and shows nothing but a burning log in a fireplace. I thought those were just memories of my long ago childhood, but I was amazed to see that the burning log still finds its place on YouTube even today.
Despite my unglamorous association there is something quite elegant and beautiful about the Bûche de Noël. According to Larousse Gastronomique the yule log cake tradition started in the 1870s when Parisian pastry chefs decided to replace the less elaborate brioche style fruit loaf with this more festive confection. Although I am quite partial to the Panettone style breads, I can see why pastry chefs created something a little more fussy to work on, that is just how we are!
I created the yule log pictured here for the holiday issue of Better Homes and Gardens. You can find the recipe here and you’ll find a video of me creating one in here.
This chocolate and halva version is from Zoë Bakes Cakes!
More Bûche de Noël Recipes
The video matches this recipe and not the one in the Better Homes and Gardens article. Assembling the Yule log is essentially the same no matter what cake or filling you use, so the video will be helpful no matter what. You choose the flavors and style of decoration. Have fun and Happy Holidays!
The beauty of this recipe is that you can use any flavor combination that you choose. I’ve even done them with ice cream in the center or mousse. For this one I used a classic vanilla chiffon roll, ganache and buttercream.
How to Assemble Bûche de Noël
Find the full recipe below.
(Here is the recipe for the praline buttercream you see in the photos) – the following directions match the yule log in my video.
Unroll the cake and spread all but a 1/4 cup of the cooled ganache over the complete surface of the cake with an offset spatula.
Using the parchment to help you roll the cake over the ganache into a tight log starting at the long end.
Wrap the log of cake and refrigerate for at least an hour to set the ganache, which will make the cake easier to work with.
Once the cake is chilled cut it at an angle in half. Cut one of the halves again making one of the pieces 1/4 and the other 3/4. Place the 3/4 piece against the half log and the 1/4 piece will sit on top of the half log.
Spread the buttercream over the surface of the cake. You want to create the appearance of bark so don’t worry about it being too smooth, you probably will not use all of the buttercream. I even swirl the ends to resemble the cut end of the log. Save at least a small portion of the buttercream to mix with the reserved ganache.
Blend the reserved ganache with the buttercream to create a contrasting color. Use your spatula to spread this onto the log in patches. You want to be able to see the lighter buttercream underneath.
Use a fork to create the bark texture on the Bûche de Noël and swirl the two buttercream colors together.
Create peeling bark for your Bûche de Noël by shaving a chocolate bar with a sharp knife. Sprinkle it over the top of the log and then dust with powdered sugar snow.
Recipe for the meringue mushrooms decor can be found in the Better Homes and Gardens article.
Ingredients
Vanilla Chiffon Roll
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 large eggs, separated
- ½ cup vegetable or safflower oil
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp pure vanilla extract GET RECIPE
- 2 large egg whites
Ganache
- 6 ½ oz bittersweet chocolate
- 2 oz milk chocolate
- ½ vanilla bean
- ½ cup heavy cream
Buttercream (See notes)
Instructions
Vanilla Chiffon Roll
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a Jelly Roll Baking Sheet with butter and a sheet of parchment.
- Sift together 1 cup of the sugar, flour, baking powder, and baking soda onto a sheet of parchment; add the salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk the yolks, oil, water and vanilla until blended. Add the dry ingredients gradually to the yolk mixture, whisking all the while; set aside.
- Beat the 6 egg white in a stand mixer on low speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until the whites are thick and shiny and hold medium peaks.
- Fold 1/3 of the whites into the yolk/flour mixture to lighten it, then turn the yolk mixture into the whites and gently fold together until thoroughly incorporated.
- Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly with an Offset Spatula. Bake the cake in the center of the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges just start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Immediately invert the cake and roll it into a log. See my video to watch me do this.
Ganache
- Place the chopped chocolate in large bowl. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise down the middle and scrape out the seeds. Put the heavy cream in a sauce pot on medium heat. Place the vanilla bean and seeds in the cream, bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add chocolate to the cream, remove the vanilla bean. Make sure all the chocolate is submerged in the hot cream. Let sit for about 3 minutes then stir gently until perfectly smooth.
- Pour into a glass baking dish and allow to set up at room temperature, about an hour.
Assembly
- (Here is the recipe for the praline buttercream you see in the photos) – the following directions match the yule log in my video.
- Unroll the cake and spread all but a 1/4 cup of the cooled ganache over the complete surface of the cake with an offset spatula.
- Using the parchment to help you roll the cake over the ganache into a tight log starting at the long end.
- Wrap the log of cake and refrigerate for at least an hour to set the ganache, which will make the cake easier to work with.
- Once the cake is chilled cut it at an angle in half. Cut one of the halves again making one of the pieces 1/4 and the other 3/4. Place the 3/4 piece against the half log and the 1/4 piece will sit on top of the half log.
- Spread the buttercream over the surface of the cake. You want to create the appearance of bark so don’t worry about it being too smooth, you probably will not use all of the buttercream. I even swirl the ends to resemble the cut end of the log. Save at least a small portion of the buttercream to mix with the reserved ganache.
- Blend the reserved ganache with the buttercream to create a contrasting color. Use your spatula to spread this onto the log in patches. You want to be able to see the lighter buttercream underneath.
- Use a fork to create the bark texture on the Bûche de Noël and swirl the two buttercream colors together.
Looks sinful and delicious!
Wow, it is perfect! Nice work. My brother and his wife had a buche de noel cake for their wedding. His name is Forest and her name is Ivy, they figured it was appropriate..ha! Anyways, the cake is stunning! Happy Holidays Zoe!
That is a beautiful buche. Stunning!
I have always, always wanted to make one of these. Maybe next year. Your instructions are perfect & it turned out beautiful!
You’re going to laugh… but we actually have a CD of that burning log that we play w/ the Christmas music 🙂
Hi Lori,
Truth be told I had it in the background as I put together the post. It really is soothing! I may just have to get myself that CD! 🙂
Happy Holidays! Zoë
Hi Maria,
Was it a huge Buche as the wedding cake? I love that idea!
Happy holidays, Zoë
I love the step-by-step photos, although I’ve never had enough patience to make something that pretty! Mine turn out more like logs or stumps 🙂
That is beautiful!
Enjoy!
This is fantastic! I swear, I was just looking through your first book yesterday trying to find a recipe for a yule log. I ended up picking out the chocolate brioche! Mmmmm! Chocolate in any bread… you can’t go wrong!!
Beautiful Bûche de Noël. Your instructions and pictures are very clear, thank you. My sister has made this a few time for our Christmas Eve get together, I think it’s my turn to give it a try.
Each time we look at a posted tutorial, it increases our self confidence so much making us want to get set in the kitchen and work out the same magic. Thanks Zoe.
And Merry Christmas to you, in case we don’t get to see another posting b’fore Christmas!!
I have been wanting to make one this year. I miss them! We used to make them every year because I was studying French and we would have a big party. This recipe looks great! Thank you!
That’s gorgeous!
To a non-baker like myself these look very complicated but very beautiful.
Looks amazing! I’ve learnt this year that buche de noel is definitely a must-have for French Christmas. Unfortunately, not having the amazing skills you possess, I think for my first “French Christmas” in the states, we’re going to stick with flan.
One day though!
The blending of the frosting colors is brilliant… the chocolate really adds depth
Great job on the buche!
Looks gorgeous! Pity it’s too warm here, to be thinking about burning logs and fireplaces 😉
I so love Buche de Noel. It is such a french dessert.
This looks amazing! I am going to buy the materials for this and I am going to start making so that I can give then as presents to my friends. Thanks.
You are so good with the instructions, Zoe! I am going to make this for sure…next year 🙂
Just came across your blog through Barbara Hecker.. really great! I will check in often. thanks.
I happened to come across this blogpost after flollowing a few links: and lo and behold, a post about the famous buche de Noel. And it just happens that I made my own, first buche last week! Very similar to yours — vanilla cake; apricot jam, chocolate ganache and Italian buttercream for the filling; more buttercream, cocoa powder and meringue mushrooms for the outside. The main difference between yours and mine is that I began rolling the cake from the short end, not the long side. This gave more “growth rings” visible at the end and a wider-diameter log, but only allows for one branch made from a cut-off end. Either way, like most things, making a buche turned out to be more intimidating in theory than in practice — it’s actually just a lot of simple steps, that all add up to a pretty stupendous looking (and tasting) dessert. Happy holidays, all!
That is one beautiful cake, so festive!! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
What a beautiful Bûche de Noel, Zoe! I started making my first ever today. Last week I made meringue mushrooms and today baked the genoise. Exciting!
Another success for me, thanks to your website!!! I made this for Christmas and everyone raved about it. Many of my guests asked if there was some left so they could take a piece home with them. I had made a buche 2 years ago, but I liked the flavor of this one better and the ganache filling was superb. I have been eating as a nutritarian since late October, but allowed myself a piece of this cake for dessert. Let me just say, I do not regret my decision one bit, and my sisters are glad they get to eat the rest! I am baking up another cake and using the leftover buttercream to make for coffee at church tomorrow, my sister is actually considering going if it means getting more of this cake!
Thanks so much for being my cyber cooking buddy!!!
I’ve been an awful food-blog-reader but I wanted to stop by and wish you a happy holidays! Beautiful buche de noel, Zoe. Have a great new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here’s wishing you a great year ahead!!
Cheers!!!! 🙂
Gorgeous…I love this.
Happy Holidays Zoe! Hope the new year is full of all things wonderful!
This looks amazing!
Beautiful….
Love the mixing of the two colors of frosting! You make it all look so easy. I’ve made ONE and it’s been a few years. Happy New Year to you, Zoe and wishing you continued success on your amazing books!
Happy New Year’s Zoe!
Enjoy!
ZOE! My gosh! This looks absolutely beautiful!
In all of my baking years would you believe I have never made a yule log. I think I know what I have to make next Christmas!
Great Post as always! And lovely, lovely photos! 🙂
Have a Happy New Year! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and family, Zoe.
Oh boy- I’m such a sucker for the taste of buttercream and the texture of shaved chocolate. This almost looks too pretty to eat- not that I wouldn’t, though!
Absolutely wonderful to see you over the holidays:)
I have two questions:
1. Sift together 1 cup of the sugar, flour, baking powder, and baking soda onto a sheet of parchment; add the salt. — why do you do this on a sheet of parchment paper?
2. Is there a reason why you oil the baking tray (as opposed to butter or pam)? I used butter to grease the tray and my oven turned out a little smoky — is this the reason why oil is better?
Thanks!
P/S: Your mocha buttercream is outrageous indeed! Love it! 🙂
Hi Sarah,
I do it on parchment so I have plenty of room to sift and can pick it up easily. You can do the same in a bowl, but I find the parchment easier to deal with.
I have used oil, butter and pam to grease the pan with good results. A sheet that was greased with butter and filled with cake batter will probably not smoke at 350 degrees. It may be something that had landed on the bottom of your oven and heated up along with your cake.
Thanks! Zoë
Hi,
I did this recipe for Christmas and it came out beautifully with the white chocolate buttercream! Thanks!
looks good for the holidays
What a beautiful buche de noel! Really love your version to this festive holiday treat 🙂
So dreamy, the perfect holiday dessert!
I tried this sponge recipe twice and it didn’t work either time! Very frustrating. Can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong…
Hi Lily,
Did you watch my video on instagram? If so, did your batter and cake resemble what you saw? If it didn’t look like mine, can you describe what was different?
Thanks, Zoë
That’s purdy :^)